Chloe Madeley on moving back in with her parents, and why Richard and Judy play such a huge part in family life
Chloe
Chloe Madeley, 35, is the first to admit that she’s extremely close to her father, GMB star Richard Madeley, 66. However, her bond with mum Judy Finnigan, 74, has strengthened beyond recognition.
The fitness star welcomed baby daughter Bodhi back in August with husband James Haskell, 37. In recent months, Bodhi has been unwell, with Chloe rushing her to hospital twice. Here, the star gives us an update on Bodhi’s health, her relationship with Richard and Judy, and how she’s coped with being a first-time mum.
Hi Chloe, how’s life with Bodhi?
We’ve just started sleep training, so she’s now sleeping 10 hours through the night. She hit sleep regression in month four and she never came out of it again. By month five, I was hanging on by a thread. But now she’s sleeping, I’m sleeping, and everything’s great.
How have you changed since becoming a mother?
I feel like I’m a completely different human being. James doesn’t at all, which is interesting. It shows that the maternal bond is a very different thing to a paternal bond – that’s not minimising the latter. I didn’t understand the conflicting sentence of ‘It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do but it’s the best thing you’ll ever do’ until now!
You’ve said it’s changed your relationship with your mum, Judy?
Yes, I just feel like my mum and I have got closer and closer. I don’t think I could have done this whole thing without her. My mum is incredibly emotionally intelligent and very savvy to me and my needs. Ever since Bodhi was born she’s been non-stop feeding me affirmations of what a great mum I am, what a natural I am. It really reassures you and gives you that strength.
You lived with your parents too, for Bodhi’s first few months?
When I was heavily pregnant, I went a bit loopy. I was nervous about the fact we were going to be under one roof and it was going to be overwhelming. I voiced it to my parents, who I think were quite upset and surprised. They were reassuring and were like, ‘Look, we spend a lot of time in Cornwall as it is. If you feel that way and feel like it’s a negative thing, we’ll get out of the way.’ But I think they knew better, having had children themselves!
And it all went really well?
From the second she was born they were the first people to come to the hospital. As soon as we came home the vibe was beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for any better way of bringing my daughter into the worl
